FGA Applauds USDA for Increasing State Flexibility in Food Stamps

Naples, FL – The Foundation for Government Accountability applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its efforts to increase states’ flexibility in administering food stamps, providing much-needed reform to the welfare program.

A recently-issued letter from USDA reinforced the Trump administration’s commitment to promoting work, outlined principles to promote self-sufficiency and eliminate welfare fraud, and sent a strong message of encouragement to states looking to be partners in reform.

“By increasing the flexibility states have in administering food stamps, USDA will give states the opportunity to implement solutions that help free their citizens from dependency and get them back to work,” said FGA President and CEO Tarren Bragdon. “Work requirements and welfare integrity reforms do more than just get people back to work—they transform lives, preserving resources for the truly needy and ending the cycle of dependency.”

The USDA letter from Brandon Lipps, acting deputy under secretary of food, nutrition, and consumer services, welcomed state ideas that would “allow greater State flexibility in areas that do not increase costs to taxpayers” while promoting self-sufficiency and improving program integrity.

FGA’s Bragdon encouraged state leaders to make the most of this new opportunity. “States must be bold to promote work, eliminate fraud, and end dependency. This new flexibility will be critical to preserving resources for the truly needy and moving more Americans from welfare to work. The time to act by submitting well-crafted, thoughtful reform waivers is now.”

The Foundation for Government Accountability is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that specializes in health care, welfare, and work reform. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.